Justice Nocholas Oweibo has granted the suspended the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, bail in the sum of N20m with one surety in like sum.
The judge granted the bail after listening to the submissions of Emefiele’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN). The judge rejected the Federal Government’s claim that Emefiele was a flight risk and should not be granted bail. The judge held that the government failed to provide any fact to support its claim.
While tendering his bail application, Emefiele’s counsel had urged the court to grant his client bail on self recognizance or on other liberal terms, pending the hearing and determination of the trial.
“There is no counter affidavit from the Federal Government opposing bail. Also, the defendant is a renowned banker and can only stay at his house, he can’t travel anywhere.”
But counsel to the FG, Nkiru Jones-Nebo in an oral submission opposed the bail application insisting that the prosecution had not been given time to respond in line with the provisions of fair hearing enshrined in the constitution. She also said that the prosecution had information that the defendant’s refusal to hand in his passport suggests his capacity to evade and absond from his trial.
“As the governor of the CBN, he is a powerful man, and can intimidate the witnesses. Granting him bail will intimidate the prosecutions witnesses who have come forward to give evidence. He can evade trial based on his antecedents. We urge the court to dismiss the bail application” she said
But the court overruled the Federal Government.
The judge held that Emefiele be held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, until he fulfils his bail condition.
His trial has been fixed for November 14.